Cleopatra

Events

Birth and Family

69 BC - 70 BC

There is little known about Cleopatra’s past, but much of what we know comes from scholars like Plutarch. Cleopatra VII was born in 70 BC or 69 BC. Her father was King Ptolemy XII and her mother is believed to be Cleopatra V Typhaena, the king’s wife.

Education

65 BC

In Egypt, both royal girls and boys received the same education. Cleopatra had private tutors and learned to be a very good public speaker. It is believed that Cleopatra learned how to speak 9 languages, including Egyptian and Greek. This may have been because she had access to the library and museum of Alexandria.

Being Queen

51 BC

After the apparent natural death of her father, 18-year old Cleopatra and 10-year old brother Ptolemy Xlll were made rulers of Egypt. Ptolemy's advisers acted against Cleopatra, which forced her to leave Alexandria and flee to Syria. She built up an army to soon go to war with her brother at Egypt's eastern border. Around this time, Cleopatra's brother welcomed Julius Caesar, a rival of the general, to Alexandria.

Gaining Control Over Egypt

47 BC

Cleopatra sneaked into the palace in Alexandria and begged Caesar to help her take back her throne. Since he had access to the Egyptian Military, he was successful in dethroning Cleopatra's brother. It is believed that Ptolemy Xlll fled the country and drowned in the Nile River. Caesar also fathered Cleopatra's first son Caesarion. When Caesar died, Caesarion became co-regent with his mother.

Meeting Mark Antony

42 BC

Roman, Mark Antony summoned Cleopatra to discuss Caesar's death. However, Cleopatra asked Mark Antony to protect her crown by getting rid of her younger sister and rival Arsinoe. Cleopatra returned to Egypt, but was followed by Antony and he spent the winter in Egypt with her. He left behind his wife and children in Rome. Cleopatra gave birth to twins Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene.

The Battle of Actium

32 BC - 30 BC

Fulvia, Mark Antony's wife grew ill and died that winter. This forced Mark Antony to marry a Roman ruler named Gaius Octavian's half sister Octavia in Rome. But Cleopatra gave birth to another son, so to prove his loyalty to Cleopatra, Mark Antony declared the children of Cleopatra his rightful heirs. Octavian grew furious and declared war on Cleopatra in 32 BC. In 31 BC, Octavian's forces brutally defeated those of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Cleopatra fled from the battle on one of her ships and Antony followed soon after. With Octavian's forces closing in on Egypt, Antony had heard a rumor that Cleopatra committed suicide. This caused him to fall on his sword and take his own life. But soon after it had been confirmed that the rumor was false. After being defeated. Cleopatra locked herself in a chamber and took her own life at 39 in 30 BC.

Achievements and Legacy

30 BC

Cleopatra is remembered as one of the most independent rulers of ancient Egypt. She was a strong queen in a male dominated society. Cleopatra made alliances with several other empires which made Egypt a wealthier and stronger country. Her rule showed that women were capable of much more than many thought, and even after her death women got better jobs and were treated better. Cleopatra's life inspired several films and TV shows. There is also a Shakespeare play called "Antony and Cleopatra" that is about the relationship of Antony and Cleopatra.